Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 68's

Folding both hands on the chest, Inuyasha stared dislikefully at Akihiko who was beside Rin. In this dinner, in a big room full of people, why would that jackal of assholes have to put that human girl there?

Inuyasha spent his childhood in the human palace. Although he had never attended a banquet because of his identity as hanyou, he still knew, the correct seating arrangement. In this big room right now, he, Kagome and Inukimi were sitting in the right row, Miroku and Sango in the left row, then Akihiko and Rin in the middle row. The middle row is the host row, Akihiko sitting there is right, but why is Rin also sitting there?

"Does the food suit your taste, Rin?" akihiko asked suddenly with a smile on her face.

Rin who was surprised by Akihiko's question immediately turned his face to the ruler of the southern land and nodded his head."Yeah, good."

"Good then," Akihiko replied. The smile on his face grew wider. "If you don't mind, how about we finish dinner, I take you to see the cherry blossom garden where we're going to have hanami."

"Eh?" stunned, Rin stared at Akihiko's confusion. Not knowing why, he felt the attitude of the southern land lord in front of him changed a little - he became more; friendly.

However, Rin had not yet had time to answer the wolf youkai question, Inuyasha had stood up and answered him. "No! Thank ye. Finish this dinner, we'll be home soon."

"We have just reached the palace of the southern land, Son of Taisho. If you want to go home, just go home by yourself," said Inukimi, who was sitting next to Kagome. Smiling, he looked at Akihiko. "You're going to nail me as best you can, aren't you, little wolf?"

Akihiko returned Inukimi's smile with a small laugh. "of course. You are Rin's mother, Inukimi-san. I'll definitely entertain you as best I can."

"Oh?? So you called me because I was little Rin's mother, huh?" inukimi's laughter, her golden eyes stared at the ruler of the southern land meaningfully.

Akihiko did not answer Inukimi's question anymore. He simply replied with a smile that was also full of meaning.

"Your husband-san!! Rin is not safe in this wolf den!" inuyasha protested, his two golden eyes fixed on Inukimi. He really had no idea what the former lord of the western land had in mind. Staring at Kagome, he tried to ask for help. "Kagome, say something!!"

Kagome who had been sitting quietly eating rice immediately put the bowl and chopsticks in her hands. Smiling widely, he looked at Akihiko. "Rin-chan's health condition is not very good because she is still quite exhausted. So, try not to get tired, Akihiko-san."

"Kagome, whose side are you on??!" inuyasha shouted with anger. What the hell is this? Not only Inukimi, even Kagome also seemed to be on the side of that jackal bastard. Looking at Miroku and Sango who had been silent, the innuanyou asked for help.

Miroku laughed softly while scratching his head that did not itch looking at Inuyasha's gaze, he was also actually quite confused by Inuimi and Kagome's unexpected attitude.

"We will trouble you in these few days, Akihiko-san." Sango smiled and looked at Akihiko. "I hope you don't mind."

Sango's words instantly made Inuyasha and Miroku stare in disbelief. Inukimi and Kagome, they can understand their strange thoughts. But, why would the most rational Sango among them be like that as well?

"S-sango.." call Miroku stammering. He stared in disbelief at his wife, was the mother of this child hypnotized by the ruler of this southern land?

However, Sango did not care, he turned his head to look at Rin. "Let's just say we're on holiday Rin-chan. Just enjoy our arrival to the palace of this southern land."

"Sango said right, Rin-chan," Kagome added as she clapped her hand. The smile on my face grew wider. "We're enjoying this trip to the fullest."

"Right," Inukimi laughed loudly. "We need a vacation after all this time."

Rin stared in confusion as to what was happening in front of him. He felt that something was strange, but he did not know what the oddity was. As for Inuyasha and Miroku, they started to get scared, what is with these women?

Akihiko smiled at what was happening, he did not know clearly what was in Inukimi's mind, Kagome or Sango. But their attitude was clearly helping him.

Laughing softly, Akihiko nodded her head. "You're all my guests, please enjoy this south."

....xoxOx....

"Hold my hand, Rin," Akihiko said softly. He stretched his hand out to Rin. She smiled a little. "It's a little dark in here, I don't want you to fall."

Rin looked at Akihiko's outstretched hand at her in confusion. They were within one of the corridors of the southern land palace right now, and to be honest, his human eyes could still clearly see the surroundings due to the moonlight present.

"I promised to take good care of you to Kagome-san, Rin." Akihiko continued again with a smile that still adorns his handsome face.

Akihiko's words inevitably made Rin think back to what happened just now. As they finish dinner, Inukimi, Kagome and Sango enthusiastically tell Akihiko to take Rin to see the cherry blossom garden in the southern land palace.

Not caring about Inuyasha's protests, or questioning Rin's willingness, they send Akihiko a message to look after the human girl and enjoy the cherry blossom garden at night.

Sighing, Rin really did not understand why this could all happen. It all happened very quickly and he couldn't do anything.

"Rin," call Akihiko slowly. The smile did not disappear on his face as well as the hand that was still outstretched waiting for Rin to greet him. "Come on."

Seeing Akihiko's attitude, Rin then nodded her head and placed her tiny finger on the hand of the ruler of the southern land.

Feeling the warmth of Rin's hand, the smile on Akihiko's face widened. Gawking tightly at the human girl's fingers, he led her down the corridor without saying anything more.

Rin who followed Akihiko also said nothing. Silently silent, his mind could only go back to thinking what he should do now and in the future. Sesshoumaru–dia's order is already in violation. It was not because of his desire, but the fact that he was already in the southern land palace was indisputable.

A cold voice and the face of Sesshoumaru's anger flashed through Rin's mind. Making the human girl immediately close her eyes and endure the pain that invaded her heart.

As sick as this is, do you?–love that person. It turned out that love was not what he had imagined all along. Back when he was a child, Rin saw the happiness of the love between Inuyasha and Kagome. So she thinks love is happiness, then Sesshoumaru tells her, love is–weakness.

Love is a weakness that will destroy him.

Little Rin never understood why happiness would be a weakness. But now he understands. Love is not always just a sign of happiness, there are various feelings mixed in it.

Fear and sadness if love is not reciprocated. Selfishness and greed for wanting to have. Pain because reality cannot be together.

It's all in love. Sesshoumaru was right, Rin could see what he was like now, he was weakened, his smile and laughter disappeared. Slowly he began to break.

The first time after all this time, Rin realized, how could he possibly allow Sesshoumaru to become like him now? How could he expect that inuyoukai to repay his love?– making him have a weakness; feeling all these torturous feelings.

"Rin, we've arrived." Akihiko's voice immediately awakened Rin from her daydream. "You daydreaming?"

"Eh?" surprised, Rin immediately raised his head and found Akihiko, who was now bowing until their eyes were aligned right in front of him.

Removing her fingers, Akihiko straightened her body and folded both hands on her chest. "You've changed a lot, Rin."

"Eh?" Rin could only exclaim confusedly hearing Akihiko's words.

"Looking at you like this, it seems like you really don't want to visit this southern land palace" Akihiko continued. The smile on his face disappeared replaced by an injured face. "You don't want to keep your promise, do you?"

"Eh? T-not like that, Akihiko-sama," cut Rin quickly. His two large brown eyes were unable to hide the panic in the heart. "R-rin has no intention of breaking Rin's promise. R-rin just, Rin doesn't know.."

Rin's voice grew smaller, he did not know how to explain to the ruler of the southern land in front of him what happened. Silently, he lowered his head down from a feeling of guilt.

Akihiko again smiled looking at the human girl's attitude in front of him. It never changes, it stays like an open book, so easy to read. Rin remained as innocent as the first start they met.

"Alright," Akihiko laughed later. His sky blue eyes were increasingly softly staring at the human girl in front of him. "Thank your head, Rin. You still haven't seen the cherry blossom garden of the southern land palace."

"The pavilion field north of the southern earthen palace," Akihiko smiled, her right hand raised stroking Rin's black hair that was blown by the night breeze. "My place has been practicing swords all this time."

"W-how can it be?" ryn asked confusedly. A few months ago, this field was clearly a barren land without a single blade of grass. But, now, he could see, dozens of tall and large cherry trees bloomed beautifully.

"Aren't you the one who said that this park would be so beautiful if it was filled with cherry trees, Rin?" laughing softly, Akihiko slipped Rin's hair behind the human girl's ears. "I planted it for you."

Rin could not reply to Akihiko. His eyes could only stare in disbelief at what he heard.

"I asked youkai to plant the tree and spread the cherry blossoms this spring as soon as possible," turning back, Akihiko stepped forward to approach the cherry tree. Stopped stepping, the ruler of the southern land turned his head staring smilingly at Rin at the back. "And you're right, this field has become so beautiful. I have to thank you, Rin. "

Rin's face flushed with gratitude. In his heart he felt bad, because his words were just words without a second thought. Who would have thought that the ruler of the southern land would actually make it happen?

"Come here, Rin," call Akihiko again. He extended his hand to the human girl. "We walked towards the middle of the park. There sakura flowers are more beautiful."

Nodding his head, Rin immediately stepped closer to Akihiko. His finger received the wolf's youkai hand, letting him clasp his hand once more.

Walking more and more into the middle of the park, Rin's eyes were completely blown away by the cherry blossoms around her. Unknowingly, he released his finger which Akihiko grasped and stepped forward under the largest cherry tree there was.

Raising his head staring at sakura on it, Rin's brown eyes did not hide his admiration. In the moonlight overflow, the cherry blossoms on it were so beautiful. The soft pink and white color come together, harmonizing without coercion - making it lose its word.

Akihiko did not move looking at the scene ahead. Stunned, a second later his heart skipped a beat. The ruler of the southern land was unable to take his eyes off the human girl in front of him.

In the moonlight overflow, surrounded by the cherry blossom trees, the human girl stood alone with her head raised upwards. The night wind gently played on her long black hair, and a few petals of cherry blossoms fell down as if wanting to touch her.

Well-favoured.

Akihiko knew Rin was beautiful, and the long time he didn't see her, the human girl was getting more beautiful and beautiful. In this beautiful cherry blossom garden, in the light of the moon, her beauty was truly an illusion. More beautiful than the cherry blossoms or the moon, beauty that is not real.

The scene in front of him was a painting. However, there was a slight flaw in the painting in front of him right now, namely; a smile that was missing.

Why did Rin lose her smile, why was the girl moody and became quiet, what was the reason the human girl had trouble keeping her promise–Akihiko knew everything.

And for Akihiko, it was all very good. For the lost smile on the painting in front of him now, he would become a painter. He's gonna change it. In the future, the reason the human girl smiled back was no longer Sesshoumaru, but him; akihiko.

....xoxOx....

Away behind the cherry blossom garden that blooms beautifully. In the northern pavilion of the southern earthen palace, a female youkai stood still. The eyes of his youkai can clearly see the daiyoukai and the human girl in the middle of the park.

His heart is very painful. He could see how soft the daiyoukai sky blue eyes were staring at the human girl. How much he wanted that look on him, not someone else.

But, hundreds of years passed, despite always following and accompanying him, those daiyoukai eyes never looked at him like that. Closing his eyes, he could only sigh and smile softly. "You're such a fool, Tsubasa.."

....xoxOx....

How can you let Rin be with that jackal now!?" inuyasha asked in anger. His eyes stared intently at Inukimi, Kagome and Sango who were brewing tea quietly.

"This is none of your business, Son Taisho," Inukimi replied with a smile and sipped tea in her hand. "Sit quietly in your place."

"How is this none of my business!??" inuyasha shouted while standing up. The anger in his heart grew unbearable.

"Osuwari." said Kagome who was beside Inukimi slowly. She did not look at her husband in the slightest.

"Kagome!!!" Inuyasha could only protest as the gravitational pressure forced him to fall down motionlessly.

Miroku who saw Inuyasha fall down did not care at all. Sipping tea in hand once, he smiled looking at Inukimi, Kagome and Sango. "I can't guess what you women's plans mean, would you mind explaining them?"

Kagome smiled at Miroku's words. "We just want Rin-chan to have a choice."

"Optional?" inuyasha asked who was still slumped over the confused tatami.

Sango laughed softly. "Rin-chan had been staring at Sesshoumaru all along. In his view, there was nothing else but Sesshoumaru, and it–not good."

Kagome nodded her head. "The future is unpredictable. What if Rin-chan does not end up with Big Brother in the end? Rin-chan deserves happiness, doesn't it?–we want her to realize that she has no choice but Sesshoumaru."

Loving someone wholeheartedly is not wrong. But, if that love is unrequited love and self-destructive it will be a love that is wrong.

Grief, tears, deteriorating health and Rin's disappearing smile have explained how much the human girl is starting to crumble because of her love. Neither Kagome nor Sango wanted that to happen. If Rin's love is the wrong love, they both don't want her fixated on that love. They want the girl to open a new and happy page.

"Is there no other choice but that jackal in your head!?" hardik Inuyasha is full of anger. He was trying to rise up against the pressure of gravity. But all in vain because Kagome again muttered softly. "Osuvari."

Miroku cawed his head at Kagome and Sango's explanation. He began to understand the purpose of the women in front of him. "Sesshoumaru is too perfect, if we choose someone else, then that person will disappear covered in perfection."

"That's right," Sango's smile saw Miroku understand quickly the purpose of their plan. "Isn't Akihiko, the ruler of the southern land also not less perfect than Sesshoumaru? And most importantly, you can also see her attitude and her eyes on Rin-chan."

Miroku nodded his head again. Akihiko's attitude and eye to Rin can clearly be caught, even the insensitive Inuyasha knows it. His seriousness towards Rin was definitely not playful even though he was a true daiyoukai.

"But, the choice remains in Rin-chan's hands," Kagome continued again and chuckled. "We just want her to be happy."

"I see what you mean now" Miroku smiled. A moment later he turned his head to look at Inukimi who was still smiling drinking her tea. "Do you mind if Rin-chan chooses Akihiko, Inukimi-san?"

Miroku's question made Inukimi smile meaningfully. And a moment later, he laughed out loud. "I want my daughter to be happy."

Inukimi wants Rin to be happy, that is reality. However, Rin's happiness that he wanted the most was the happiness of the human girl beside his foolish son, Sesshoumaru.

Rin was too innocent and Sesshoumaru was too stupid. Even though their feelings are the same, their relationship only continues to run towards uncertainty. Therefore, the inuyoukai and the human girl need a boost in their relationship, especially for Sesshoumaru.

Inukimi wants Sesshoumaru to know, Rin is precious not only in her eyes alone. Outside, there are dozens of pairs of eyes that can see the value of the human girl and willingly do anything for her.

Then for Rin himself–choose?

Yep. Rin has the right to choose. But can Rin see the options available to her?–that's the question.

Since long ago, since the first time he saw Rin, Inukimi could see the visible bond between her son and the human girl. Strong and unbroken ties.

Bringing Rin to the south has a very high risk. Inukimi himself realized, this trip south was actually a bet for him, and he bet on the bond between Sesshoumaru and Rin.

....xoxOx....